Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Is Anyone Still Here?

It's been a while since my last post. The past 7 months have been really crazy, with so many transitions. I began a pastoral internship, came down with a rare form of vertigo that literally had my world spinning for a week, got engaged, finished the internship, did concerts and conferences in Hawaii and California, left the country a few times, got married, moved to Washington D.C., took a cross-country trip, got married, moved into a new apartment, got married, bought a car and, by the way, did I mention that I got married?

My beautiful bride's name is Blair and we were married on July 10., so it's been about a month. All I can say about that is that the Lord's mercy is more profound than I could possibly imagine. He has already blessed me in more ways than I can count through her. I clearly got the "better end of the deal"! I can't wait to see how the Lord will use marriage to shape both of us for His glory. I'm also excited about being able to serve the Lord as a husband and Lord willing, as a father someday.

So anyway, I have a lot going on, including working on new music and other projects. There's a lot on my heart and mind that has built up over the last 7 months. I wrestled with whether or not to start something new, but then I thought that maybe there are people who still check in on this blog from time to time. So before I post and get the response of crickets in cyberspace, I thought I'd ask...

Is anyone still here?

If you are, leave a comment and let me know if you think it's worthwhile for me to continue this blog. Thanks!

grace and peace,
shai

77 comments:

Gina said...

I actually logged in to follow your blog while you were on your 7 month adventure :) I am only one person but I am here and ready to hear what you have to say.

My husband and I have used some of your music for our youth group at church and it has been wonderful! Thank you so much for being obedient!

Blessings to you and your new bride! I know God will use you both mightily!!

-Gina

Anonymous said...

I'm still reading and I'd love to continue reading. I enjoy your music and I enjoy the blog as a way to learn both more about you and more about your music.

Ginger said...

I still subscribe to this blog!

ryangeer said...

Most definitely still here! Would love to hear about your internship at Capitol Hill (right?) and your future plans for ministry... Hopefully, they don't involve giving up recording and performing.

I've said it before but my family and I (my wife Caroline and our 6 kids) love and are ministered to (almost daily) by your music.

Carrie said...

Still here and so happy for you and your new wife... congratulations!!!

Mike said...

Absolutely worthwhile, Shai. Love the blog to keep up with you and pray for you. My kids (ranging 4-13) and I love your music and one day we'll win my wife over (she's not a rap fan but loves your theology!). Peace (in God thru Christ)!

Jhay Phoenix said...

Oh yeah Shai! Been plugged in via RSS a lil' while after this blog started. Looking out for whatever you got to say...

Mr PSb said...

Glad to see you're still here. Grace & Peace be multiplied to you in your marriage.

Alyssa Jones said...

Reading your blog in Nashville, Tennessee. Your lyrics have been such a gift to my mornings. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Im definitely still here. Ive been checkin on this blog every month waiting for your next post. Now that the internship is over and a new album is in the works id love to read some new posts. Grace and peace

JRL said...

Still here. You moved to DC? What about Epiphany?

John Carey said...

Definitely still here. I am so glad to hear about your recent marriage, and will be praying for you and Blair as you together seek to build a Biblical marriage that accurately portrays the picture of Christ and His Church. I look forward to your next musical project!

Grace be with you,

John

chrisblackstone said...

Keep it goin, Shai. I'm still readin.

Unknown said...

Still here man. Fire that blog back up

Anonymous said...

Still here and glad you're back!

Stephen B. said...

Got you on the RSS feed. I was shocked to see a new post. It's definitely worth while to keep posting if you have time.

Vessel said...

Shai Linne the deo-gloria-fellow, urban-territory-dweller, I have been blessed temporally and spiritually by your lyrics and music. "As the hour draws near" is my favorite track from Storiez and "Through my eyes" is my favorite track in your album the Atonement. I read more, and try to expand my vocabulary due to the fact that I am an aspiring artist.

CONGRATULATIONS in your nearing fulfillment of God's first commandment, "Be fruitfull and multiply" and your fulfillment to God's commandment in the New Testament, paraphrasing: a man should leave his family and friends and cling to his wife. I am sure blessing await you in the Eternities and on earth for you compliance with the Lord's will thus far - keep pushing soldier.

I use your blog often to read and meditate on the word, so please keep it up. I'm sorry to hear about you illness. Remember that because of the fruit consumed by Adam and Eve humans began to degenerate and illnesses and plagues now effect us. Be patient with this and live your life to be worthy of the glory of an immortal body in the next life. My prayers are with you SOLDIER, and please remember me in you prayers as I too struggle in my walk with Christ.

Grace and Peace, Michael Azonye.

Unknown said...

I still read!

Anonymous said...

I am in. Phoenix loves what God is doing Lyrical Theology. The atonement album has helped my 5/6th graders. so thanks.

burger said...

what up shai! ya dude, peeps still peepin' your blog, keep it going. and congrats on the marriage,cant wait to see how the Lord will use u and shape you in that... grace and peace fam.


oh, and i cant wait to here your new stuff, the church album was a BEAST!!! keep giving us some of that lyrical theology.

Anonymous said...

I'm here, man. Congratulations on your marriage!

LisaB said...

Still here in Lancaster, PA area.

Congrats to you and Blair!

Unknown said...

yup. still subscribed.

congrats!

Kenny A said...

Still here shai and congrats on the wedding man!

Unknown said...

introduced to your music last week, awesome lyrics. I'll definately be checking back here for updates

Andrew Pantazi said...

Definitely still here. I still refer people to read your blog post on Doxology v. Theology.

Trisha said...

Yes! Keep blogging! Our family (ages 4-32) listen to your music and we enjoy hearing how God is working in and through you. Remember Shai, TESTIFY! :)
Congrats on your marriage too - beautiful wife and she's got something to testify too!

Press on for the glory of God!

Anonymous said...

Knoxville, TN here! Still subscribed

Uni said...

Still here man and I'd be interested in reading. :)

Billy said...

Shai,
I am subscribed to your blog through Google Reader, so you can be sure that I'll read it if you decide to continue it.

Billy

mike nadraus said...

I have been using your lyrics, copying them and putting them in with the letters i write in my death row prison ministry. The inmates are really blessed by them from what they say. I am the guy who sent you my book God on Death Row. Keep on serving God brother!

Shaun RW Little said...

I'm still here and I aint going no where.

-Shaun

Anonymous said...

In the case the above wasn't enough, here's another: I'm still here! So glad to hear all that God has been doing in your life. Looking forward to more lyrical theology!

Blessings,
John

shai said...

Thanks for all your encouraging words! Well, there you have it. More blog posts to come!

@JRL- Epiphany is still there :) I've moved on to a new season in life though.

@Mike Naudras- Thank you so much for the book, brother! Your note was a great encouragement to me!

Thanks again, everybody!

grace and peace,
shai

Steven Wayne Howard said...

Always love to hear how the Lord is working in your life Shai! If keeping up this blog doesn't hinder in your service to Him then I'd say keep it up. It's always encouraging to hear from a brother in Christ and if anything, can let me know what to pray for. Keep pressing on, dude. Soli Deo Gloria
Steven W. Howard

marc p said...

i would love for you to continue....

ImNoBetterThanU said...

WOW! Ironic you posted here and I had never seen your blog. The irony is that on Twitter I am @ImNoBetterThanU. I was the one that was trying to get you a new fan and misquoted your album name as Lyrical Theology...and here we are on your blogt called just that. Weird...
Congratulations on the wedding. I pray blessings over your marriage! IN Jesus name. AMEN!

DoulouChristou said...

Still following the blog brother Shai. I am sorry to hear you had vertigo. My step-father has battled with it for 10 years now, it's no fun to have. However, I am thankful that the Lord has answered my paryers concerning your well being and your ministry. As far as I am concerned you should def keep this blog going. I am actually glad that you went on a 7 month adventure gave me time to catch up up on some of your blogs! It's exciting to see a new blog though, when i first saw it in my new updated posts section I thought I was hallucinating. Keep serving the King Soli Deo Gloria

Anonymous said...

Blog away brother! We wanna hear all about what you learned in your internship.

Mitchell Carter said...

Still here shai. Keep glorifying the Lord with that music man. Holy Hip Hop is moving through Indiana and spreading a gospel-centered message as it goes. Loved the Church album by the way. As a college kid about to get into the world it got me really excited to search for and come under the submission of a Christ-exalting church.

Carl Schuster said...

love everything you're doing bro..

Carl Schuster said...

love all you're doing bro congrats on tying the knot..

Baliva said...

Hey shai,

Your blog has been really inspirational to me, please keep blogging.

Baliva

Bernard Rosario said...

I did speak in a youth leadership training about "The Need of Treasuring the Scriptures." And I wanted you to know that I let them hear your "Expository Preaching" to encourage them to move from being Bible-based to Bible-saturated in their youth fellowships.

Moreover, a bunch of Reformed United Methodists here in the Philippines love your songs.

Unknown said...

Still here! Love your stuff so def keep it coming! God Bless.

Anonymous said...

heeeeeeeey brotha! it's been a long time, you shouldn't left us without a dope blog to bless us!

i miss you my friend. we must make the trip down to d.c. when baby micah is ready so that he can meet his uncle shai ;-)

Indeed, God is too merciful and gracious to sinners like us! Praise Him for His Son and all His work!

Stop by my blog sometime and let me know what you think.

g&p

ant

1N4N3 R055 said...

Still here brother! Mainly I come here for your song lyrics but if you start writing again that will give me another reason.

bolinpath said...

I'm here

Alex Johnson said...

Brother Shai! Congratulations on your engagement and marriage! May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your bride in this new journey!

Praying that this blog would be kept open as long as it serves the elect of God! I come here quite often in the last year. About this time last summer I was introduced to holy hip hop and you brothers have rocked my world! While you haven't posted much I appreciate you having your lyrics on here. I tend to copy and paste them as my status updates on facebook.

Anyway hoping you keep it up and God bless brother!

Jim in TX said...

I'm here and want to hear.

Matt Archer said...

Shai

Congratulations man, so pleased for you and Blair & excited to see how God uses you in the coming months.

Have been checking back here for a while and delighted you're back!

Was amazing teaching 'Atonement Q&A' to the 11-14s youth group this year, and seeing kids who'd never even heard of Jesus a few weeks before that being able to recite some of the amazing things he's done!

You're loved by more and more people by the day over here in London, England... looking forward to hearing and sharing your next project. Come back to the land of Spurgeon, Bunyan, Hudson Taylor and the Wesleys soon!

grace and peace

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to see a post!!! I've been checking in now and then during your adventure! Please continue writing. Are you still at Capitol Hill Baptist? My Marine nephew and his wife attend there, and I can't wait to visit someday. I've heard wonderful things about the ministry there. Congrats on you wedding; Blair is beautiful!

Ruthy
Breezy Point, MN

DebatingGod said...

We here! Brazil! Luv ya!

jfn said...

definitely still here! thanks so much for blessing FBCUM with your art this past june for SONfest. wonderful how the Lord is working through you!

Robert Murphy said...

Never to unsubscribe, never to stop listening!

Hantla said...

Still here.

John Wesley Leek said...

Keep it up!

jc said...

I'm new, but I'm here now!

Anonymous said...

Still here! You are my favorite artist I learn so much from your CDs and love your passion for people to live Christ centered lives! Love all your music and the intricacy of all the albums!

Anonymous said...

Greeting from Deep South Texas (harlingen) Shai,

How are things going for you. I hope above all things that the LORD'S Will is being done. Regarding your recent post of if it is worthwhile, I would say so. I've been a 'lampmodian' since bout' 06'. Can't say enough how the providence of the Lord is so evident. Lyrical theology as molded me in a really huge way in my life. Inspiring me to get INTO the Word. Diggin' truth, listening to Piper's teachings, and letting the Lord have his way with me. I do hope that you would keep this blog up to date, I am in NO way a "FAN" of yours. But I think we'd both agree that we are both 'FANATICS' for the KING of Kings, Jesus Christ. Be encouraged, we are all brethren here. There is no way we can manage alone.

Grace, Peace and Mercy unto you,

Your Brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,
aaronlopez

Michael Tinker said...

Hey Brother - congratulations on getting married! July 10 is my wedding anniversary too... good date...

Anyway, keep up the great work. We love using your raps in our gatherings to teach truth here in Sheffield, UK. Just about to link my Gospel Community to 'Triune Praise'.

Cheers
Michael
The Crowded House, Sheffield

www.thecrowdedhouse.org
www.myspace.com/thetchhouseband
www.myspace.com/michaeljtinker

SolidRockLawson said...

Still Here Mr. Shaii. Soli Deo Gloria!! Cant wait for your next album and CONGRATS on the wifey.

Justin O. said...

shai,

This is my first time on your site, so I surely hope you don't stop sharing your thoughts now :)

Congratulations on getting married! My wife and I just celebrated our 1 year on August 1st! It's just amazing that with all the pain in the world, God allows us to experience such a wonderful thing as marriage!

I wanted to come see you this Saturday in Cinci at The Pharmacy with Believin' Stephen, but I can't make it. Good luck at the show though!

Keep makin' disciples and teach with your gift!

YBIC,
Justin
(currently listening to Da Truth's Great Wall)

AtTheCross said...

Soli Deo Gloria
You are an inspiration SHAI

Buyaah said...

A bit late but still here, actually been checking in regularly to see if you started blogging again.

Fusion said...

Congrats on the new marraige bro. You and Blair make a powerful duo for Gods kingdom. You are both talented with gifts that glorify our heavenly father. Marriage is a blessing! Looking forward to seeing you in SoCal in the coming months!

undadog4eva said...

yea yea man. im still here bro!!

AhmedisAhead said...

Love your music and more importantly, your message. Keep producing Godly content. And congratulations on your union!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on getting married man. I get married in 9 days! Keep producing music and every blessing as you train at CHBC.

Love from the UK,


Arron

Unknown said...

Technically, I am not still here. I came here today for the first time. But I am here.

Matt McMains said...

Been checking up from time to time hoping to hear from you soon..good to see it's back up!

Jordan T said...

Yes Shai, Im Still here And we all want you to stay on this blogspot. Continue to update us on here, also, congrats on getting married! Blessings . . . Jordan

Anonymous said...

I just showed up and saw that you're writing again. Love your stuff and how it points to Christ.

Manfred said...

Glad to see you back and joyful to hear the account of your marriage. I married off my little girl in June - it's a beautiful thing to see a God-given covenant relationship begin.

Anonymous said...

Yeah man i dig your stuff your such an encouragement to my study dont go anywhere

James said...

You should definitely keep blogging. I had stopped checking cause you hadn't updated in so long. But I love reading your work.

I think blogging is important, in general, and as a blogger myself, encourage others to keep up with the trend of it. There is much to be done through a blog, and some people have been theologically changed through them.

Keep it up, Shai.

Loretta said...

hi checking your blog for the first time since your Transitions post... just want to encourage you in your blogging, your writing and living for Him. Press on, He will give you His strength.